Bravo Company 16″ Lightweight Midlength AR-15 Followup

I'm not quite sure how long I've had this Bravo Company lightweight midlength AR. It's been a year or more - perhaps closer to two. Forgive me for this Zen moment, but if I had to identify with any inanimate object, it would be this rifle.

For the longest time, I simply put an optic and a sling on the weapon and went shooting. You've probably seen it in photos if you've been following the blog for a while.

Whenever I needed an AR, I most often grabbed this one. It was so handy and light that it suited nearly every purpose, and because it was put together right the first time, by BCM, and I saw no reason to modify it, it was always ready for use - and, I might add, always zeroed.

So, in the time that I've owned it, it's come by a bit of wear - honest, real-world, off-range wear. Not much compared to what my issued M4 looked like after a year, mind you, but not bad for a rifle that's hardly ever been out of the United States.

It was definitely inspection-ready when it arrived, just like all of the other BCM rifles and uppers I've seen. This is a photo of another BCM upper's feedramps - the two are practically identical.

The M4 feedramps are useful in a number of situations, and I wouldn't have a carbine or midlength AR-15 without them. As you can see below, I have not been keeping the weapon as clean as I could have, but this has not had any negative effect on function.

The only malfunctions I've experienced were double feeds with some loaned PMags, and stuck cases with some extremely corroded Silver Bear that confounded every rifle we tried to shoot that ammunition through. With my own mags - aluminum, PMag, Lancer - and ammunition, no malfunctions that I can recall.

I actually do clean the rifle from time to time, but it's mostly when my hands get black with carbon after I pick it up - which can get pretty annoying.

I finally modified the rifle by installing a Spike's Tactical midlength SAR rail, which I have found to be a very nice rail system. Installing that rail significantly reduced the overall weight of the weapon. This is due to the SAR's design replacing a steel barrel nut and delta ring assembly with a titanium barrel nut, and the rail itself enabling me to remove the side sling swivel and FSB rail.

As far as accuracy goes, the last time I sat down at the bench with this rifle, it shot 3-4 MOA with match ammunition. As it was originally equipped with a heavier profile barrel which was then turned down (by Bravo Company) to the lightweight profile after manufacturing was complete, some loss of accuracy was to be expected - and even when new, it was only shooting 1.5-2 MOA. It's seen a lot of ammunition since then.

Keep in mind, I measure accuracy by strict standards, and many "1 MOA" rifles would not even be 3 MOA weapons by my standards. As far as this rifle goes, I'm going to keep shooting it until it keyholes.

I've loaned the rifle out and/or allowed countless other shooters to put their own ammo through it. No one has reported any malfunctions to me, nor would I expect that they would have encountered any. This is one rifle that, put simply, works.

Spike’s Tactical M4 LE Lightweight Carbine Review

Regular readers/viewers of the blog will probably recognize this rifle - or at least the receiver set - from a number of photos and videos that have been featured here.

This carbine is basically an M4 LE Lightweight. Although only the M4 LE is listed on the Spike's Tactical website, the two are quite similar, with the exception of receiver color and barrel profile.

Kimber Stainless II 9mm 1911 Review

I have a love/hate relationship with my Kimber 1911s, as those who have seen my Custom II review know.

I bought this Stainless II in 9mm almost three years ago, and shoot it quite often. In its original configuration, it was simply nonfunctional. However, it didn't take me too long to toss most of the Kimber parts and turn it into a very useful handgun. Would I do it over again? I don't know.

See the video for more.

Mossberg 500 Review

A short review of the Mossberg 500 shotgun. I've owned this example for a year or so, and find it to be fun to shoot as well as a versatile and useful weapon.

Marlin Papoose Video Review

The Marlin Papoose is a fun to shoot and quite accurate takedown .22. It's easy to have with you almost anywhere you can carry a backpack. Cost is approximately $250 and it weighs 3.25lbs. What's not to like?